The funding recognises that everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, in their relationships, and in their community.
11 June 2025
In brief
- The 2025–26 ACT Budget includes funding to address domestic, family and sexual violence in Canberra.
- The investment aims to increase the capacity of frontline services.
- This article covers the services and initiatives receiving support.
The ACT Government is investing in measures to address domestic, family and sexual violence in the Territory.
The 2025–26 ACT Budget includes significant funding to strengthen and expand the ACT’s response and support victim survivors.
Investment aims
The funding package aims to increase the capacity of frontline services.
It will:
- enhance early intervention efforts for children and young people
- support the provision of culturally safe support through Aboriginal Community Controlled and led Organisations
- deliver a new sexual assault advocate pilot program.
Better support for victim survivors
The investment will fund the creation of in a new sexual assault advocate pilot program.
This will see dedicated support staff working alongside ACT Policing. It will better support and inform victim survivors through the justice process.
The pilot delivers on a key recommendation from the Sexual Assault Police Review.
Sustaining essential services
The funding will strengthen and sustain essential services that are already saving lives and helping break the cycle of violence.
It will allow:
- Victim Support ACT to continue the Family Violence Safety Action Program
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre to expand its capacity
- Domestic Violence Crisis Service to offer increased support
- Canberra PCYC to continue the Solid Ground early intervention program
- the addition of two specialist child support workers at YWCA Domestic Violence Support Service
- continuation of the Victim Survivor Voices Pilot
- expansion and continuation of the Safer Families Assistance Program.
Supporting culturally safe services
The funding will support Aboriginal and Community Controlled and led organisations to provide culturally safe services.
It will assist:
- intensive case management services delivered by Yhurwun Bullan
- continued support for Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation to provide both individual and systemic advocacy services
- engagement of WhISPers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Softball Corporation to deliver healing through sport and cultural events
- ongoing support for Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation to continue delivering the NaraGanaWali Strengthening Families Program
- development and implementation of a community and professional education campaign promoting the message that “violence is not our way”.
This investment follows receipt of The Long Yarn report.
Ensuring a safer future for all Canberrans
This package forms part of the ACT Government’s long-term commitment to ending domestic, family and sexual violence in the ACT.
It is supported by funding from the Safer Families Levy and the Commonwealth’s National Partnership Agreement. Together, these help strengthen responses to and the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence.
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